Sunday, October 19, 2014

So Korea! - Part 3

To continue my list of "So Korea!' experiences, here's a few more I have added to the list.

9. Outdoor exercise equipment - In addition to the traditional brick and mortar gyms, outdoor gyms are all over the place. I really appreciate a country that promotes exercise and well being with free gym equipment for the public. This one is in Suseong Lake where I take my daily walk/jog.

Here's a close up of the equipment that we have on our 6th floor apartment building. It is similar to the ones that are at the lake and I have seen this type of equipment all over the city in parks and recreational spaces.

10. Sidewalks as parking spaces - Pedestrians have no safe haven here. Even the sidewalks are utilized as parking spaces and cars treat them as another lane of traffic. I always have to remind myself that when I am out walking with Jensen that I need to be aware of my surroundings. You never know when a car decides to park and cut you off while walking on the sidewalk.

11. Squat Toilets - I've heard about these before arriving in Korea. I had to use my first one when we stopped a rest area on our way to Jinju for the Lantern Festival. Surprisingly, it wasn't too bad. Just make sure you don't do legs as your weight training the day before you have to use a squat toilet.

12. No electric dryers - Most Koreans hang their clothes to dry and do not use dryers. The washer that was provided by our landlords does have a dual setting of wash and dry. I opted to borrow a separate dryer from base housing since the one the all-in-one washer/dryer combo did not dry as well. This may not be so out of the ordinary, but even laundry businesses hang their customers clothes out to dry.

I saw some of those squat toilets in Tokyo. I don't know you'll have to be physically fit to get up or else you'll need a rod or something or someone to help you up. It is amazing what people in different places are accustomed to doing. It sure is interesting. I love that picture of Christian and Jensen Walking at the Lantern Festival with Jensen looking up.